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Super Spreaders

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 Agriculture is the primary source of livelihoods in India. Three of four full-time farm workers are women, as men migrate to cities for jobs. Female land-ownership has remained low posing barriers to accessing credit, subsidies and entitlements, and thwarting production capacity. Profit margins are also slim due to market inefficiencies that favor traders over producers.

To create efficient, fair, and inclusive agricultural market systems, SEWA established the Rural Distribution Network (RUDI) in 2004, linking farmers directly to consumers by aggregating, processing, and distributing over 30 products, generating multiple employment opportunities along the way. Early adopters of digital platforms, RUDIbens have been sending and receiving orders on mobile devices for a decade. RUDI is now a self-reliant agro-producing company with an annual average turnover of USD 1.2m. In 2015, SEWA expanded its operations to reach the urban “last mile,” by launching the Kamla project, promoting organic, nutritious and traditional Indian meals in residential neighborhoods. The original lunch service and training center, now boasts bustling Kamla Cafés, including at the Indian Institute for Management in Ahmedabad.

RUDI serves as a lifeline for small and marginal farmers, providing them with a platform to sell their produce.

 Ninety percent of surveyed households reported some form of food insecurity during the Lockdown. By late March 2020, SEWA launched a massive food aid operation, ensuring that essential goods and food reached their members. Food delivery routes doubled as supply chains for home-based artisans, mitigating their risk during market closures. 

In the cities, natural markets faced the ire of the communities they served. Street vendors worked late at night when curfews were lifted, rushing to the few wholesale markets (mandis) that were allowed to function. They faced frequent beatings and evictions. As COVID-19 case counts rose, these essential workers, who brought food to India’s tables while risking their own lives, were vilified by the media. They were called Super Spreaders. 


 Karthik Garish (Visualization)
Kartikeya Bhatotia (Research)